Title: The Virtuoso
Author: Grace Burrowes
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4570-1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: November 2011
Pages: 416
Format: Mass Market Paperback,
$6.99
How I Read It: Mass Market Arc from publisher
Rating: 4.5 Crowns
A genius with a terrible loss. . .
Gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland, has little interest in his father’s obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and tormented by what has been robbed from him.
A widow with a heartbreaking secret. . .
Grieving Ellen Markham has hidden herself away, looking for safety in solitude. Her curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen’s devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.
Together they’ll find there’s no rescue from the past, but sometimes losing everything can help you find what you need most.
(from the publishers)
My Review:
From the start of the series, Val is the glue that holds that brothers together. He is their shelter in the storm, so when encounters a storm of his own in the form of an condition that demands he give up his music, Val is lost. He feels that he is defined by the extraordinary music he plays and when that ability is stripped he feels as though he has lost his soul.
Ellen Markham is a widow, who is hiding a secret. When she stumbles upon Val inspecting the estate he won in a card game, the kiss the two shared a years ago is fresh in her mind. While the two become close, the secret Ellen holds may be enough to tear them both a part.
Having the first two books in the Duke’s Obsession Series, The Heir and The Soldier, I knew that Val’s story was going to be a great read. What I didn’t expect was how much I was going to come to care for the character. My favorite of the Windham brothers had, and is, Devlin, although Val is a close second.
My Thoughts:
Having previously read the first two books in The Duke’s Obsession Series (The Heir & The Soldier), I knew that I would enjoy reading, The Virtuoso. What I didn’t expect however was how much I did enjoy it. If you read my previous reviews of this series, you know how much I loved St. Just, although after reading this book Val is catching up to his older brother in my affection.
There is something about the hero’s that Grace Burrowes creates, they captivate you in a way no other romance characters can. I guarantee that you will fall in love with Val & Ellen.
While the titles do indeed fit the description of the heroes, I feel that that there is so much more to Valentine Windham than the label of “Virtuoso” and I hope that you explore his character in Grace Burrowes’ newest edition “The Virtuoso”.
Favorite Bit From The Virtuoso:
“You are safe with me, Ellen.” He punctuated the sentiment with a kiss to her temple then rested his cheek where his lips had been.” I am a gentlemen, if nothing else. I might try to steal a kiss, but you can stop me with a word from even that at any time. The question is, how safe do you want to be?”
“Shame on you.” Ellen whispered, turning her face to his shoulder.
“Shame on me is right, for I do not offer you anything, you see, but kisses, and illicit pleasures. Those I can give you in abundance, if you want them.”
She pulled away, peering at him in the moon light. “Are you insulting me?”
“I am not. I am commenting on my unworthiness as a mate to a decent woman. I can bring you pleasure and take some for myself, if you can offer it, but that is the extent of my utility.”
Page 68 of the Uncorrected Proof, finished copies may differ.
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